Inquiry regarding rejection of "similar image submissions"

[BH_Moon3191]

Hi.
I have recently noticed a huge increase in rejections due to similar images.
Reading the posts here, it seems like it is not just me but also other people.

I heard that a high rejection rate can have negative effects. 
Does this apply to my case?

I can't check in advance how many similar images there are on Adobe Stock and filter them.

[Jill_C]

Yes, many people are experiencing increased rejections, and not all of them are justified. The recently announced weekly submission cap on each account will utilize your rejection rate, among other factors, to set your limit. Therefore, a high rejection rate is going to affect how many assets you can have under review at any one time,

[BH_Moon3191]

I see... Then, in the current situation, the more I upload, the lower the approval rate will be, so I'm not sure if it's right to just sit still. There's no clear guideline for what the approval rate should be, right?

[Abambo]

There's no clear guideline for what the approval rate should be, right?

By @BH_Moon3191

No, you will learn by doing.

[daniellei4510]

We doubt it. Adobe is aware of the issue (unfortunately they consider it a feature, not a bug, even though it seems a bit random). Even with over 125 such rejections (about 8 or 9 of which were ultimately accepted and some minor edits and updating keywords), I'm still managing to maintain a 97% acceptance rate.

Now...that said...there ARE examples of contributors submitting dozens of images that are not only similar, but in fact often identical, so there are practical reasons why this change was put into place. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of collateral damage as a result.

[BH_Moon3191]

97% approval rate, that's amazing!! I think 8 out of 10 of my posts get rejected these days.

If the reason is that it's similar to an image I've uploaded before, I can understand that it's my fault, but if it's because it's similar to an image which Adobe Stock already has, I can't look it up before submitting, so I think it should be excluded from the approval rate calculation...

I don't know. What should I do... 

[daniellei4510]

I'd be closing in at 99% if they would stop rejecting my so-called "similars"). I've been having some success (key word: SOME...about 9 out of 11 so far) resubmitting rejected assets by adding the most unique keywords I can find (asking Siri, ChatGPT, or Amazon Echo to jog my memory), along with even more carefully worded titles. Of course, don't use unrelated keywords. I slip some of the original keywords to the bottom of the list and/or eliminate weak ones. I don't rely very heavily on Adobe's keyword suggestions, since they themselves are often too similar. 

Here's my latest working theory: Images are still being moderated first by humans, but the moderators see a flag suggesting that the image might be too similar to other assets already submitted. I'll even go so far as to make minor edits on occasion. Based on their experience as moderators and what they see coming through every day, they have the prerogative to accept or reject the "similar" asset, provided it passes quality or technical issues. So some make it through the second time around. I DON'T submit the asset a third time, nor do I resubmit it immediately following rejection I'll let it stew for a couple of weeks or more.

[Abambo]

Here's my latest working theory: Images are still being moderated first by humans, but the moderators see a flag suggesting that the image might be too similar to other assets already submitted.

By @daniellei4510

That's what I think, too. And so a mountain picture in the Alps is similar to a mountain image in the Rocky Mountains. If the moderator blindly trusts the tool, you earn a nice refusal.

[Abambo]

I can't check in advance how many similar images there are on Adobe Stock and filter them.

By @BH_Moon3191

No, you can't. And my guess is that the tool Adobe uses is badly calibrated. But if that can calm your nerves: we are all in the same boat, and we all get the rejections for similar pictures, where similar pictures may be anything you submit.

The only consequence that you do not have to fear is that you get blocked by high rejection rates. The announced consequence is lowering your submission cap. That's only an issue for those generating assets and submitting assets in masses.

[ZALEZPHOTO]

Similar images in my understanding refers mostly to similar images  you're uploading. Adobe mentions in the guidelines that when clients see too many options of one situation, they don't buy. Also, one can assume a picture of an orange on white background could be rejected if it's too similar to existing shots, so if you want to shoot an orange find your own twist on the background that will make it unique.

Don't get discouraged!

[Jill_C]

You said "Similar images in my understanding refers mostly to similar images  you're uploading."

This is incorrect. A couple of months ago, Adobe changed their reviewing stratetgy and announced that they are rejecting based on similars in the entire database, not just similars in an individual's portfolio. Here's what the refusal reason states:

[ZALEZPHOTO]

Thanks Jill. Not sure what I said is incorrect.   Adobe mentions in the guidelines that when clients see too many options of one situation, they end up not buying. So when we submit, we want to send not only the best photos of the same theme, but also noticeble differences. 

I am noticing too much disposition from people here on being right. The reality is that we dont know a lot regarding the human or AI process that is preselecting photos. There are inconsistencies on approvals, and at times I've had photos approved on the 4-5 try, bc as a pro there was absolutely nothing wrong with with them.

Let's all keep it humbled! 

[Jill_C]

I only meant to clarify that Adobe HAS recently changed their review policy on "similars" and now states that they take into account their entire inventory, not just your submissions. However, as you note there are considerable inconsistencies. It has been consistently recommended that you do NOT continually resubmit rejected images hoping for a different outcome next time. This is considered spamming and could get your account permanently suspended. 

[Abambo]

I only meant to clarify that Adobe HAS recently changed their review policy on "similars" and now states that they take into account their entire inventory, not just your submissions.

By @Jill_C

Adobe probably always considered the entire database (but said only your submissions), as Mat Hayward once mentioned that for some assets, the entire database is considered. However, now, it seems like they have introduced a new tool that marks assets similar to any asset in the database, and that is not really fine-tuned, so that many unsimilar assets are simply refused as similar. Frustrating.

[daniellei4510]

Three differentiating simlars has always been the maximum recommended. Not that they seem to follow their own advice at times. The Insights list (and I realize they samples could have been selected well in the past and with different rules) would so indicate. Especially the one at the top last time I looked (the backgrounds/wallpaper). 

[coffeeman_L]

"Let's Not Pick The Flowers, Let's Grow Them Together"

Our big city municipality erected small signs with this slogan in the park on the road I use to go to work.

I liked the slogan, I decided to make a similar one for Adobe Stock and I did, but it was rejected again because of the similarity.

I searched Adobe Stock, but I couldn't find a picture of a wooden sign with such a slogan.

So this "similarity" issue shouldn't be like this: "From now on, no director should make a comedy film, because there are plenty of similar ones."

Participants should be given some details, some explanations, some clues.

[daniellei4510]

Well...I don't know if it would result in an acceptance, but I'd ditch the text and let the buyer insert their own copy. Even still, the text doesn't pick up the texture of the wood. And did you submit this as a jpg or png? It would give a buyer even more options if you did as the latter.

[coffeeman_L]

still, the text doesn't pick up the texture of the wood.

Because of my amateurism.

And did you submit this as a jpg or png?

Actually, I wanted to send it as a PNG, but again, probably because I was an amateur, I couldn't cut the object properly, the edges were too shiny, so I added a white background and sent it as a JPG.

[daniellei4510]

🙂 YouTube time! If I wake up from having a sleepless night, I'll give you some steps on how to fix the texture issue. If by chance you have the beta version of Photoshop, it would probably do an excellent job of removing the background with or no further editing.

[coffeeman_L]

🙂YouTube time! If I wake up from having a sleepless night, I'll give you some steps on how to fix the texture issue...

By @daniellei4510

Sure, I'd be very happy, Danielle brother.

[daniellei4510]

Here ya go. No need to reinvent the wheel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YcU6gd9D2U

[coffeeman_L]

Thank you very much again, I copied the links to my notepad, I will definitely look at them when I have free time.

[Abambo]

still, the text doesn't pick up the texture of the wood.

Because of my amateurism.

By @coffeeman_L

Use multiply with some transparency and put a texture on the text layer! 😉